KDE is a complete desktop environment; while several capable window managers exist for Linux, KDE provides much more functionality than a simple window manager provides. In this sample chapter from Special Edition Using Linux, Sixth Edition, authors David Bandel and Robert Napier discuss everything from installing KDE to manipulating its files and directories.

What Is KDE?

KDE stands for the K Desktop Environment. The K
doesn't stand for anything in particular. KDE provides some of the same
functionality for a graphical environment that is found in other popular
operating environments, such as Macintosh OS or Windows 98. However, it also
provides some unique features of its own to enhance your graphical work
environment.

KDE is a complete desktop environment, as opposed to being just a window
manager or program launcher. Several capable window managers exist for Linux,
including olwm, fvwm, afterstep, and others. However, KDE provides much more
functionality than a simple window manager provides. For more information on the
differences between desktops and window managers, see Chapter 2,
"Introduction to the Desktop."

KDE Is a Graphical Desktop

KDE provides all the capabilities of a desktop. For example, KDE enables you
to do the following:

Put icons on the desktop to mount and unmount removable disks, such as
floppies.

Browse the filesystem graphically.

Associate applications with files of a particular type so that when you
click a file, it automatically loads the correct application.

Create a desktop printer icon, to which you can drag files to print
them.

None of these are features of a window manager or program launcher by itself.
The value of KDE is that it simplifies many tasks that a user must perform by
providing a graphical environment that simulates something more familiar to the
user. In other words, KDE provides a desktop metaphor, which is a way of
displaying and manipulating documents, directories, and programs in a manner
that is more intuitive and appealing than typing commands at a shell prompt.

KDE Applications

The KDE system includes not only the desktop, but also a whole host of
applications and utilities to go along with it. In the default distribution of
KDE, there are more than 100 programs, ranging from games to system utilities to
a full-blown office suite. Each of these programs is useful in its own right; in
addition, however, the KDE applications can interoperate with each other to make
certain operations easier. For example, you can drag a package file from the
file manager to the package manager to view the contents of the package and
install it.

KDE Is a Project

In addition to being a graphical desktop, KDE is also a huge project. The KDE
project provides a complete applications development framework and many
guidelines and resources for the development and use of KDE programs.

Thousands of developers around the world work on various aspects of the KDE
system, including programming, documentation, translation, all kinds of testing,
and packaging. The KDE Web site is located at
http://www.kde.org/.

This Web site contains many resources for both users and developers of KDE.
For example, the Web site provides online documentation in many languages. Also,
users can participate in mailing lists to receive or give assistance in working
with KDE. For developers, application style guides, automated tools for
constructing KDE applications, bug and feature wish lists, and more can be found
here.

The KDE project is devoted to a philosophy of ease-of-use, consistency, and
quality for graphical applications in the Linux world.